There is a serious shortage of some prescription medicines in SWF and elsewhere at present. Common medications like ramipril, co-codamol, and dispersible aspirin are affected. Please see the attached generic NHS leaflet. Please do not blame pharmacy staff or GP surgery staff; it isn’t their fault.

Sunday 26 July 2026

Updated and new items come first

In light of the appalling tragedy at Mersea Island on Wednesday 22 July our thoughts are with Shally Rahman RIP, Samiha Rahman RIP, the-seven-year old boy in critical care, the families, friends and all the responders who did their utmost to save people.

With the summer holidays UKHSA has joined forces with leading water safety charities to support them in warning young adults of the dangers of cooling off in open water. The advice came ahead of World Drowning Prevention Day on 25 July, which aims to raise awareness of measures that can help prevent drowning and save lives.

UKHSA’s advice to families includes:

• keeping your home cool by closing windows and curtains in rooms that face the sun
• drinking plenty of fluids throughout the day
• try to avoid direct sunlight, especially between 11am and 3pm when UV levels are highest – if you do go outside, cover up with suitable clothing, such as an appropriate hat and sunglasses, and seek shade and apply sunscreen regularly
• if you are going to do a physical activity (for example, exercising or walking the dog), plan to do these during times of the day when it is cooler, such as the morning or evening.
• check weather forecasts to see when it will be cooler
• knowing the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke and what to do if you or someone else has them

While swimming can be a great way to enjoy the summer, open water can present serious and often hidden dangers. Evidence from the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) shows that many of these tragedies are preventable. A recent report found that in 87% of child drowning deaths, factors were identified that could have prevented the death, including lack of adult supervision, unsafe environments, accessible water and the absence of safety measures. According to RLSS UK, 90% of accidental drownings over the last five years occurred at open water sites, either inland or on the coast. 

Even on warm days, water temperatures can remain dangerously cold. Entering cold water suddenly can trigger cold water shock, causing an involuntary gasp, rapid breathing and loss of control in the water.

To stay safe around water:

• supervise children closely at all times
• swim at lifeguarded locations whenever possible
• enter the water slowly to allow your body to adjust to the temperature
• be aware that open water is usually much colder than it looks
• leave the water immediately if you begin to feel cold or unwell
• always swim with others and look out for each other
• swim parallel to the shore rather than away from it
• wear a life jacket or buoyancy aid when taking part in activities such as boating, paddleboarding, kayaking or fishing
• carry a means of calling for help whenever possible. If heading out alone, tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return
• if you get into difficulty in the water, Float to Live by tilting your head back, floating on your back and controlling your breathing until help arrives or you are able to swim to safety

If you see someone in difficulty in the water, call 999 immediately and ask for the Coastguard if at the coast.

More than 2,700 people may have died from heat-related causes in England and Wales during the exceptionally hot weather in May and June, experts’ estimates suggest. The figure, from a team at Imperial College London, the Met Office and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, is based on what’s known about the dangers of extreme heat. Most deaths will have occurred in the June heatwave, when temperatures hit 37.7C (99.9F) at Lingwood, Norfolk, smashing the previous high of 35.6C set in 1957. A rare red heat alert was issued for parts of England including Essex, at the time, warning even healthy people of the significant risk to life. The study estimates that around 550 people died as a result of the heat between 21 and 29 May, and nearly 2,200 died between 18 and 28 June in England and Wales.

The heatwaves were caused by a “heat dome” – a stalled area of high pressure that trapped hot air over the region, say experts. The heat dome was made worse by human-induced climate change, the researchers say. This has warmed the planet by around 1.4C since pre-industrial times and scientists believe it added between 3 and 4C to the maximum temperatures recorded in May and June. Hot tropical nights added to the sweltering conditions, offering little respite. Many UK homes are not built to cope, leaving people vulnerable to prolonged, high temperatures.

Heat puts immense physical strain on the body, made worse if you are dehydrated, with the heart pumping harder and faster to cool you off. Babies and older people are among those most at risk of harm, as well as those with existing health conditions. It can lead to more heart attacks, strokes and other potentially fatal emergencies. Intense heat can affect anyone, including fit and healthy people, and is dubbed a ‘silent killer’ because early symptoms are easily overlooked. And when the hot air is very wet or humid, like it was in June, it’s more difficult for the body to cool down through sweating.

Confirmed cases of Salmonella in England reached their highest level in ten years in 2024 according to UKHSA data, with both Salmonella and Campylobacter remaining elevated in 2025. Cases rise during summer months, often linked to undercooked or mishandled meat, poultry and eggs. With BBQ season underway, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) is urging people to avoid common food safety mistakes. Key advice includes always cooking meat all the way through — checking juices run clear and that a thermometer reads at least 75°C — using separate utensils for raw and cooked food, keeping food chilled and out of direct sunlight and taking extra care with high-risk dishes like cooked chicken, egg dishes and prepared salads.

The Measles outbreak continues in north London and West Midlands. It’s spread into East of England. Parents should get children vaccinated and check children’s vaccination status.  In 2026 to 20 July 933 English measles cases have been confirmed (959 in whole of 2025), an increase of 50 cases since the last report on 6 July, mostly driven by the North London outbreak. Alarmingly this continues increasing. There have been 2 measles deaths in children in 2026. Essex is in danger from its neighbours.  

The NHS will aim to prevent thousands of deaths from sepsis by 2035 as part of a series of measures to improve treatment – The blueprint includes measures to give wearable devices to people at risk of sepsis which could be on their mobile phones or worn as watches or bracelets.

Every baby in England to get life-saving genetic test from birth – All babies will be screened for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), giving them the best chance of successful treatment before symptoms appear.

Cancer patients rate care highly as record numbers checked and treated – Tens of thousands of cancer patients have rated the care they received as nearly 9 out of 10, as NHS teams see and treat record numbers of people for the disease.

Infants and young children are among hundreds of patients set to receive new life-saving drugs for rare blood cancers – Around 200 patients a year will benefit from the 2 new cutting-edge treatments, offering fresh hope to families when other therapies have failed.

Millions of unpaid carers will be better recognised, referred to support and helped to reach their full potential, under a new cross-government action plan – Nearly one in 10 people in England is an unpaid carer – providing an invaluable service in society looking after family members, friends or loved ones.

Children’s health further protected with energy drinks ban – The ban will come into force in April 2027 and will apply in shops, vending machines and online.

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About one million parents are urged to book the new “four-in-one” jab to protect children aged from 12-months to 11 years old from measles who have missed one or both doses of the vaccine. They will be invited as part of the NHS England’s campaign which runs until March next year.

NHS urges people in their 50s to return bowel cancer screening kits as 100 cancers found each week. The latest annual bowel screening figures show that just over half (56.2%) of 54-year-olds took part in screening in the year April 2024 to March 2025, compared with more than 7 in 10 (73.5%) 70 to 74-year-olds.

The NHS is working with partners to remind festival-goers of the ongoing health risks so they can enjoy the festival and other events safely and responsibly this summer. A resource pack provides information on staying well during the 2026 festival season. It aims to support stakeholders to explain and promote key health messages for festival goers, including guidance on vaccinations, STIs, hot weather and general hygiene. It contains background information, statistics, key messages, suggested social media copy, social media assets, and links to useful information.

Wildfires are more common in the UK than many people realise, although most are typically small and last a short time. Hot, dry weather can dry out vegetation providing fuel for fires and increase the risk of wildfires. Climate change projections suggest we will see conditions more favourable for larger, more severe wildfires. An NHS blog explores why severe wildfires are becoming more frequent in the UK and how to cope with the health risks.

Appointments to get the lifesaving meningitis jab can now be booked at high street pharmacies, offering vital protection for 17 and 18-year-olds currently in the last year of sixth form and students under the age of 25 who are heading to residential colleges or university this autumn for the first time.

Young people urged to book lifesaving MenB vaccine

Last month Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and devolved nations announced that thousands of young people will get protection against meningococcal B disease (MenB) through a one-off vaccination programme launching ahead of the 2026 academic year.

The vaccines will be offered to:

• Everyone in England and Wales born between 01/09/2007 and 31/08/2008 (current school year 13) or equivalent final year of school age (Year 14 or S6) in Scotland and Northern Ireland. 
• Everyone turning 25 after 31/12/2026 who will be starting higher education for the first time, or who will be living in further education accommodation or halls of residence for the first time, in autumn 2026. This includes international students and students in the UK Devolved Administrations and Crown Dependencies.
• International students under 25 entering their first year of university should receive their first dose in their home country where possible.
• Two doses of the vaccine are needed for protection at least 28 days apart.
• 17 and 18-year-olds can book via the NHS National Booking Service for appointments at community pharmacies.
• Other eligible people can contact a participating pharmacy to book an appointment.

If you’re travelling abroad follow some simple steps to ensure you have a fun and healthy trip:

• Prevent mosquito bites using 50% DEET repellent, sleep under treated nets and wear long-sleeved clothing to protect against malaria, dengue, Zika and other infections.
• Food and water safety. Choose piping hot food, follow “boil it, cook it, peel it or leave it,” and wash your hands regularly.
• If visiting a malaria-risk area, take medication exactly as prescribed. Avoid buying antimalarials abroad, as they may be fake, substandard or intended for treatment rather than prevention.
• If you feel unwell abroad, seek medical attention immediately. Don’t wait until you’re back in the UK.

The NHS is also to overhaul patient communications and end the ‘farce’ of invitations arriving after appointments. Patients are to receive at least 3 weeks’ notice from the NHS for all new planned medical appointments. Under the plans, all patients will receive clear confirmation via the NHS App when their referral from their GP has been accepted by a hospital specialist and they have joined the waiting list. The notifications may also be sent by text and letter and will help patients track their referral through the NHS in the way that you can for online shopping. The NHS will also ensure a consistent ‘customer service’ approach for those on the waiting list, providing regular updates at least every 12 weeks to ask patients about their condition and whether there is any change in their needs – as well as providing advice on self-care while they wait and what to do if their condition worsens. Should patients need to reschedule their appointment at the last minute, hospitals are being asked to ensure a new appointment invitation is received within 28 days. Patients will also receive clear communications about the next steps agreed with their clinician once their treatment ends – including whether they will have a set timeframe for any follow-up appointments needed or be asked to book a follow-up when they need one (know as ‘patient initiated follow-up’, or PIFU). While the NHS will increasingly make the most of the NHS App to provide faster and more convenient communication for patients, existing traditional methods of communication –including letters, texts and phone calls – will continue to be available for anyone who needs them.

Hundreds of women with aggressive cervical cancer are to be offered a new immunotherapy on the NHS, which could help more women survive and stay cancer-free in the long-term. This means the cancer has grown beyond the cervix to regions such as the pelvic wall, but not yet spread further around the body.

Trials found that adding pembrolizumab to standard chemoradiotherapy helped keep cancer at bay for longer and improved survival rates.

A dozen cutting-edge projects will see thousands of patients across the UK benefitting from new approaches to tackling obesity. £85 million grant funding from government and pharmaceutical company Lilly for new approaches such as using AI tools to improve patient care. Round-the-clock virtual advice and AI-assisted triage among plans to bring care to underserved communities.

In May our hospitals at Broomfield, Basildon & Southend:

• Saw 73.9% (74.4% in April) of patients within four hours in our emergency departments, against the national standard of 78%. This is in line with the Trust’s target. Basildon was 76.1%, Southend 71.6% and Broomfield 72.7%. Nationally the performance was 75.7% and in the East of England it was 75.6%. Work continues to improve the flow of patients across the hospital sites using Same Day Emergency Care, and removing the need for corridor care

• The average time for ambulances to handover patients in May was 33 minutes (31 in April).  This compares with 33 minutes in East of England and 38 minutes nationally

• In April 59% (62.7%) of patients received cancer diagnosis results within 28 days, against a standard of 80% while 46.5% (54.2%) received their treatment within 62 days against a national target of 85%. This has stayed at a similar level to previous months. The Trust remains in NHS England’s Tier One process for cancer performance but continues with a focus on getting test results back as quickly as possible, ensuring pharmacy and teams preparing medicines have enough staff and focussing on priority cancer pathways. Factors including Easter leave, multiple bank holidays and industrial action have all impacted on performance.

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